BJP to raise in Parliament attacks on Indians abroad

Asking the government to set up a special cell to look into the incidents of attacks on Indians abroad, BJP on Friday said it would raise the issue of racism in Parliament.

"The government should set up a special cell to look into the various cases of attacks, small or big, against Indians studying or working in foreign countries. This would provide a sense of security among Indians," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters in New Delhi.

Terming the attacks as "racial" and as an attempt by "certain powers" to create unrest amongst the Indian community abroad, Javadekar said the party would raise the issue in "both houses of Parliament during discussion on President's address" next week.

Referring to the telephonic conversation between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith yesterday over the attacks on Indian students in that country, the BJP spokesperson said "making phone calls will not solve the issue. All attempts must be made to provide security to Indians working or studying abroad."

He said besides Australia, Indians have also been attacked in the US. "In the past one and half years, eight Indians from Andhra Pradesh have been murdered in the US," he reminded.